Science & Mathematics - Overview
The Museum's collections hold thousands of objects related to chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Instruments range from early American telescopes to lasers. Rare glassware and other artifacts from the laboratory of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, are among the scientific treasures here. A Gilbert chemistry set of about 1937 and other objects testify to the pleasures of amateur science. Artifacts also help illuminate the social and political history of biology and the roles of women and minorities in science.
The mathematics collection holds artifacts from slide rules and flash cards to code-breaking equipment. More than 1,000 models demonstrate some of the problems and principles of mathematics, and 80 abstract paintings by illustrator and cartoonist Crockett Johnson show his visual interpretations of mathematical theorems.
"Science & Mathematics - Overview" showing 19 items.
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Monroe Model KA 160 Calculating Machine
- Description
- In 1921 the Monroe Calculating Machine Company expanded its offerings to include calculating machines of several different capacities, selling the new machines as the model K. Soon thereafter, it began to sell automatic or electrically powered machines. This is an example of Monroe’s first electrically powered model, the KA.
- The full-keyboard non-printing modified stepped drum machine has a metal frame painted black, with rounded corners. The steel plate under the keyboard is painted green. Eight columns of black and white plastic concave keys are colored according to the place value of the digit represented, with a red clearance key at the bottom of each column. Rods between the rows of keys serve as decimal markers. They are painted the same green as the plate underneath them on one side and white on the other.
- To the right of the number keys are two bars and three keys in a column. The bars are for addition and subtraction. One key clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation. A metal lever and a metal knob are to the left of the keyboard. A crank for operating the machine fits into the right side. It rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction. A black motor attached to the left side at the back can be used to drive the machine. It has an on-off switch.
- Behind the keyboard is a carriage that has a row of 16 numeral dials for recording results and a row of eight numeral dials behind these in the revolution register. Two thin metal rods between the rows of windows carry decimal markers. A crank for shifting the carriage is at the front of the machine; a knob for lifting the carriage is to the right of the result register; and a crank for zeroing dials on the carriage is on its right side. The machine has four rubber feet and a black two-pronged electrical cord.
- A mark on the front reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York. The serial number, on the frame of the mechanism on the right side under the carriage is: A7530. A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #253. This is model #253 from the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
- Compare MA*334711, MA*304386, 1983.0831.1, and 1984.0682.05.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 551.
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1928, vol. 2, pp. 9-29 to 9-33.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1925
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.57
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.57
- maker number
- A7530
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Calculating Machine
- Description
- This full-keyboard, non-printing, manual, modified stepped drum calculating machine has a metal frame painted black, with rounded corners. The eight columns of black and white plastic keys have a red clearance key at the bottom of each column. Rotating rods between the rows of keys serve as decimal markers. Three keys are in a column to the right of the number keys. One clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation. The operating crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage that has a row of 16 numeral dials for recording results and a row of eight numeral dials behind these that serves as a revolution register. Digits for the revolution register are red and black. Between the windows for these registers are two thin metal rods that carry decimal markers. The carriage shift lever is at the front of the machine. On the carriage, to the right of the result register, is a lifting knob. A crank on the right of the carriage for zeros registers on it. The machine has four rubber feet.
- A mark on the front reads: MONROE. A red tag attached to it reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #254. A white tag attached to it reads: Monroe Calculator 8 Banks (/) Hand Side Crank (/) #92701 (/) (A. Williamson) (/) Rack B Shelf #3.
- This is model #254 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. Date based on assumption model number is 92701.
- Compare to MA*334711, MA*307386, and 1983.0831.1.
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 551.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1927
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.58
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.58
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model K-121 Calculating Machine
- Description
- This manual, full-keyboard non-printing modified stepped drum calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and a steel keyboard painted green. In the six columns of black and white color-coded keys, keys for odd digits are concave and those for even digits are relatively flat. At the bottom of each column is a red clearance key. Metal rods between the rows of keys serve as decimal markers.
- Three key stems are in a column to the right of the number keys. One clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation. The keys for these key stems are missing. A metal lever is to the right of the keyboard and a metal knob to the left. The operating crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- The carriage in back of the keyboard has a row of 12 white numeral dials for recording results and a row of six numeral dials behind these in the revolution register. The revolution register has black digits for addition and red ones for subtraction. There is no carry in the revolution register. Two thin metal rods between the windows of these registers carry decimal markers. The carriage shift lever is at the front of the machine. To the right of the result register is a knob for lifting the carriage. A zeroing crank for dials on the carriage is on its right side. A bell rings when the result passes through zero (as in over-division). The machine has four rubber feet.
- A mark on the front reads: MONROE. A mark on the back reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York, U.S.A.. Stamped on the edge of the carriage on the back left is the serial number: 77811.
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, pp. 9-29 to 9-33.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1926
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1984.0682.04
- catalog number
- 1984.0682.04
- maker number
- 77811
- accession number
- 1984.0682
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model K-16 Calculating Machine
- Description
- The manual, full-keyboard non-printing modified stepped drum calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and a steel keyboard painted green. Eight columns of uniformly shaped black and white color-coded keys serve for data entry. At the bottom of each column is a red clearance key. Metal rods between the rows of keys are decimal markers. Three key stems are in a column to the right of the number keys. One clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation (at least one of these keys looks like a replacement). A metal lever is right of the keyboard and a metal knob to the left. The operating crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- The carriage behind the keyboard has a row of 16 black numeral dials for recording results, and a row of eight white numeral dials which serve as a revolution register. The revolution register, which has no carry, has black digits for addition and red ones for subtraction. Two thin metal rods between the windows for these registers carry decimal markers. The carriage shift crank is at the front of the machine. A knob for lifting the carriage is right of the result register, and a crank for zeroing dials on the carriage is on its right side. There are four rubber feet. A bell rings when the result passes through zero (as in over-division).
- A mark on the front of the machine reads: MONROE. A mark on the back reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York, U.S.A. The serial number, recorded on the bottom edge of the left side of the carriage, is 91928
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, pp. 9-29 to 9-33.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1927
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1984.0682.05
- catalog number
- 1984.0682.05
- maker number
- 91928
- accession number
- 1984.0682
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model LA 200 Calculating Machine
- Description
- This portable, full-keyboard, electric, and non-printing modified stepped drum calculating machine has a gray steel case and gold and white color-coded plastic keys. The ten columns of keys have nine digit keys and one zeroing key in each column. The zeroing key is the opposite color from the rest of the keys in the column. Between the columns of keys, and under the plate, are metal rods visible through windows in the plate. These rods, painted green on one side and red on the other, serve as decimal markers.
- To the right of the number keys are two red buttons, one of which is marked R (for use in repeated addition or subtraction), and a red clearance key. A crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction. Above these are black subtraction and addition bars.
- In back of the keyboard is the carriage, with 20 result dials and ten revolution register dials. Each revolution register dial is numbered from 0 to 9 in black and from 1 to 9 in red. Between the two registers on the carriage are two thin metal rods that carry green plastic decimal markers. A crank for clearing the carriage is on its right side. A carriage shift crank is at the front.
- The machine may be operated automatically by plugging in the gray rubber two-pronged cord that extends from the back. The instrument has four metal feet, a gray plastic cover, and a brown leather-covered carrying case with key.
- The machine is marked on the front: Monroe. No serial number found.
- For related documentation, see 1986.0131.02. Date assigned is copyright date of the instructions.
- This Monroe model L calculating machine is not only electrically operated (hence the A in the model number) but has a 20-digit capacity. Although it has a carrying case (hence the X in the model number), there are no extensible feet in the back, as on the L160-X.
- Reference:
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company, Instruction Book Monroe Adding Calculator LA- Models, Orange, N.J., 1947 (1986.0131.02).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1947
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0131.01
- catalog number
- 1986.0131.01
- accession number
- 1986.0131
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model 213-11-011 Adding Machine
- Description
- This machine incorporates ideas of Purdue University graduate Clyde Gardner (1881-1923) who had a long career in the adding machine industry. He began as a draftsman at the Pike Adding Machine Company in 1903. By 1909, when Pike was acquired by the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, Gardner was chief engineer. He moved with the Pike plant to Detroit, where he worked as an engineer and patent expert at Burroughs.
- In 1919 Gardner left Burroughs to work on his own design for an adding machine. On April 19, 1923, the Gardner Calculator Company was established in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. Gardner died only two days later. His patents eventurally were acquired by the Monroe Calculating Machine Company, which manufactured this printing adding machine to complement its line of calculating machines.
- The object has a green-black steel frame, a green keyboard, and 13 columns of black and white color-coded plastic number keys. To the right of the keyboard are total, error, and subtotal keys, and subtraction and addition bars. A non-add key is to the left of the keyboard. In back of the keyboard is a printing mechanism and a fixed carriage for the three-inch paper tape. The machine prints results of up to 14 digits. An asterisk printed next to a number indicates that it is a total. There is a black rubber-covered cord that plugs into the back.
- The machine is marked on the front: MONROE (/) REGISTERED TRADE MARK. It is marked on a white sticker on the bottom of the machine: DATE (/) INSTALLED 10/Apr/57. It is marked on a gold sticker on the bottom of the machine: Licensed under Gubelman Patents. It is also marked there: 213-11-011-D (/) # 15128. According to the National Office Machine Blue Book, the serial number dates a Monroe machine to about 1932.
- References:
- American Office Machines Service vol. 3, 1937, 3.21. According to this source, the machine was introduced as the Gardner adding machine in 1924.
- National Office Machine Blue Book, May, 1975, as compiled by Office Machine Americana, January 2002.
- John E. Gable, History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Topeka, Kansas: Historical Publishing Company, 1926, pp. 781-782.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1937
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1987.0403.01
- catalog number
- 1987.0403.01
- accession number
- 1987.0403
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model G Calculating Machine
- Description
- This manually operated, non-printing modified step drum calculating machine has a steel case with plastic keys and wooden handles on the cranks. In the eight columns of keys, the key stems increase in length from front to back. On the right side is a red key for clearing the entire keyboard. Between the rows of keys are metal strips, painted black on one side and white on the other. They turn to serve as decimal markers. Two silver-colored knobs have arrows on them. The one on the right is used for automatic keyboard release in continuous addition. The one on the left is the register key for the item counter.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage with 16 total register dials and eight revolution register dials behind the total dials. The dials of the revolution register are numbered around the edge from 9 to 0 white and from 1 to 9 in red. A metal operating handle with a wooden knob is on the right side. Another handle on the right side of the carriage zeros the total register or the revolution register, depending on the direction in which it is turned. A knob on the right side of the carriage is used to lift it. A crank at the front of the machine is rotated to move the carriage. The machine has four rubber feet.
- A mark on the front of the machine reads: MONROE (/) REGISTERED TRADE MARK (/) HIGH SPEED-ADDING-CALCULATOR. A mark on the back of the machine reads: MONROE (/) REGISTERED TRADE MARK (/) CALCULATING MACHINE COMPANY (/) New York, U.S.A. Another mark on the back reads: G22939.
- According to McCarthy, Monroe introduced the Model G calculating machine in 1919, using serial numbers above 20,000. Records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office indicate that the trademark Monroe was registered in 1920. In 1921 Monroe replaced the Model G and other earlier models with its Model K, hence the date assigned.
- The donor of the machine reported that he purchased it used at a flea market or tag sale.
- References:
- E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P.A. Kidwell and M.R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, p. 265.
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 80–81, 551.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Registration 129029, Serial #71117235.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1920
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1988.3061.01
- catalog number
- 1988.3061.01
- maker number
- G22939
- nonaccession number
- 1988.3061
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model L160-X Calculating Machine
- Description
- This lightweight modified stepped drum full-keyboard non-printing calculating machine is manually operated. It has a gray steel case and gray and white plastic keys, colored to distinguish digits of differing place value. The eight columns of keys each include nine digit keys and one zeroing key. The zeroing key is the opposite color from the rest of the keys in the column. Between the columns of keys, and under the case, are metal rods visible through windows in the case. These serve as decimal markers. To the right of the number keys are two orange buttons, one of which is marked R (for use in repeated addition or subtraction), and an orange clearance key. A crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- In back of the keyboard is the carriage, with 16 result dials and eight revolution register dials. The dials of the revolution register are numbered around the edge from 9 to 0 white and from 1 to 9 in red. A crank for clearing the carriage is on its right side. The carriage shift crank is at the front. Two rubber feet are at the front and two metal standing pieces extend from the back at the bottom, holding the machine at an angle.
- This model of the Monroe normally came with a carrying case, but this does not survive.
- Compare MA*336523 (1978.0402.01).
- References:
- National Office Machine Dealer’s Association, Blue Book, May 1975, as compiled by Office Machine Americana, January, 2002.
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company, “Monroe High Speed Adding-Calculator,” Publication 780-A. This is a notebook with advertising descriptions of several Monroe calculating machines.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1953
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1993.0396.01
- catalog number
- 1993.0396.01
- maker number
- L160-X 628561
- accession number
- 1993.0396
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Calculating Machine (Model D?)
- Description
- This is an early model of the full-keyboard, modified stepped drum, manually operated non-printing calculating machine manufactured by the Monroe Calculating Machine Company on patents of Frank S. Baldwin.
- The machine has a steel frame painted black. The eight columns of plastic keys are colored black or white according to the place value of the digit represented. The key stems are banked, standing up further toward the back of the machine. At the front of the keyboard is a row of red keys each of which clears the column above it. On the right side, in this row, is a red key for clearing the entire keyboard. There are no strips between columns of keys. Two silver-colored knobs have arrows on them. The one on the right is used for automatic keyboard release in continuous addition. The one on the left is the register key for the item counter.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage with 16 black total register dials and eight revolution register dials behind the total dials. The dials of the revolution register are numbered around the edge from 9 to 0 white and from 9 to 1 in red. The metal operating handle with a wooden knob painted brown is on the right side. Another handle on the right side of the carriage zeros the total register or the revolution register, depending on the direction in which it is turned. There is no knob to lift the carriage. An all-metal crank at the front of the machine is rotated to move the carriage. The carriage has sliding decimal markers for both registers.
- The machine is marked at the center of the back edge, underneath the carriage: 20. A mark on the front reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York. There is no mention of a trademark. A sticker on the back reads: PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908 (/) OTHER U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS (/) PENDING.
- Compare to MA*317389. Both machines have the same number of keys, the same number of entries in the revolution counter and result registers, and the same mark on the sticker on the back. The mark on MA*317389 mentions a trademark. The color-coding of the keys, the color of the machine handles and shift lever, and the mechanism for the carriage shift differ between the machines. Object MA*317389 has rotating rods that serve as decimal dividers on the keyboard, and a considerably larger serial number, which begins with a D. Hence that machine is given a slightly later date.
- Reference:
- E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, p. 265.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1914
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- MA*307385
- catalog number
- 307385
- maker number
- none found
- accession number
- 67982
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model D Calculating Machine
- Description
- This is an early model of the full-keyboard, modified stepped drum, manually operated, non-printing calculating machine manufactured by the Monroe Calculating Machine company on patents of Frank S. Baldwin.
- The machine has a steel frame, painted black. The eight columns of plastic keys are colored black or white according to the place value of the digits represented. The key stems are banked, standing up further toward the back of the machine. At the front of the keyboard is a row of red keys, each of which clears the column above. On the right side, in this row, is a red key for clearing the entire keyboard.
- Behind each column of keys is a double disc with teeth of varying length protruding from it that serves as a stepped drum. One disc has five teeth on it, and the other has four. Pushing the appropriate key causes one or both of the discs to approach one another so that they are engaged when a crank on the right side turns, entering the appropriate number into the mechanism.
- Between the rows of keys are metal strips, painted black on one side and white on the other. They rotate to serve as decimal markers. Two silver-colored knobs have arrows on them. The one on the right is used for automatic keyboard release in continuous addition. The one on the left is the register key for the item counter.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage with 16 black total register dials and eight white and red revolution register dials behind the total dials. Between the windows for these registers are two thin metal rods that carry decimal markers. Another handle on the right side of the carriage zeros the total register or the revolution register, depending on the direction in which it is turned. A knob on the right side of the carriage is used to lift it. A crank at the front of the machine rotates to move the carriage.
- A mark on the front of the machine reads: MONROE (/) REGISTERED TRADEMARK (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York, U.S.A. A sticker toward the left on the carriage reads in ink: CLEARING. A mark at the center of the back reads: D1749. A mark under the carriage on the right reads: 1749. A sticker on the back of the machine reads: PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908 (/) OTHER U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS (/) PENDING.
- Compare MA*307385. The latter machine has a different carriage shift mechanism, a lower serial number, and a different color-coding of the keys. It has no decimal dividing rods between the keys, and no mention of a trademark. It has a different way of marking decimal divisions on the carriage and has been assigned a slightly earlier date.
- Monroe first used the name Monroe to describe its products in 1913. The company applied for a trademark on April 7, 1919, and was granted it onJanuray 20, 1920.
- References:
- E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, p. 265.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Registration 129029, Serial #71117235.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1915
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- MA*317389
- catalog number
- 317389
- maker number
- D1749
- accession number
- 230394
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center